Talking Points....
Connect Fellowship 7/8/2025
This week’s group discussion will focus on Pastor Doug’s series “How to Rally in a Valley – Parts 3-4.”
I. Part 3
A. Ezekiel 37:11-14 - Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”
B. It never feels like the right time to do anything significant for God.
1. We feel like we are not ready enough, not experienced enough, lack resources, lack talent, don’t have what it takes, don’t have enough backing, and find ourselves full of doubt and fear.
2. However, it is always the right time to do something for God.
3. Share a time when you stepped out in faith to do something God asked of you and how it went.
C. We can’t always find the purpose of our valley, but we can always find purpose in our valley.
1. What are things we can do to help focus on the purpose in our valley, instead of dwelling on the challenges in the valley?
D. There is purpose in our story.
1. Ezekiel 3:15 - Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
2. We need to sit where people are in order to understand their mindset.
3. How can we better understand people by sitting with them, and why is it important to sit with them?
E. You can be someone’s Ezekiel in their dry bones season. As you share strength with people, you will be strengthened.
1. Proverbs 11:25 - The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;
those who help others are helped.
2. Share a time when you were strengthened because you chose to strengthen someone else.
F. Your testimony turns into a prophesy when you share what God has already done in your life with someone going through challenges, helping to encourage them. What God did before is a blueprint for what He is about to do again.
1. Share a time when you were going through challenges, and someone else’s testimony helped to encourage you.
II. Part 4
A. Ezekiel 37:7-10 - So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
B. You can withstand any what, if you have a good enough why.
1. People crumble in the valley because they don’t have a strong enough why.
2. Know your why before the what shows up.
3. Our why is to glorify God.
4. Philippians 1:12-14 - But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
5. What are things that we can do to strengthen and focus on our why, before we face inevitable challenges?
C. They can put me in chains, but they can't have my why.
1. I know that it looks like I am in chains, but these chains are actually serving to advance God’s purpose because I now have a captive audience.
2. Philippians 1:18-19 - What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
3. Share a time when you, going through a challenging time, and remained focused on God, and how that helped those around you.
D. You must have the Holy Spirit if you are going to be able to rally in a valley.
1. John 14:16-17 - And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
2. How has having the Holy Spirit been helpful for you when you needed to rally in a valley?
E. The Holy Spirit is for use. He wants to be your Helper. He wants to be your Comforter in the valley.
1. Psalms 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
2. What things are important to do, to focus on the Holy Spirit, and not just leave him on a shelf?
F. To rally in a valley, invite the wind to begin blowing again. Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit.
1. Does anyone need a special touch from the Holy Spirit right now? Can we pray for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that you can rally in your valley?
G. Reflection time.
1. What special thing has God put on your heart regarding this amazing series on “How to Rally in a Valley?”
This week’s group discussion will focus on Pastor Doug’s series “How to Rally in a Valley – Parts 3-4.”
I. Part 3
A. Ezekiel 37:11-14 - Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, ‘Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!’ Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, when I have opened your graves, O My people, and brought you up from your graves. I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken it and performed it,” says the Lord.’ ”
B. It never feels like the right time to do anything significant for God.
1. We feel like we are not ready enough, not experienced enough, lack resources, lack talent, don’t have what it takes, don’t have enough backing, and find ourselves full of doubt and fear.
2. However, it is always the right time to do something for God.
3. Share a time when you stepped out in faith to do something God asked of you and how it went.
C. We can’t always find the purpose of our valley, but we can always find purpose in our valley.
1. What are things we can do to help focus on the purpose in our valley, instead of dwelling on the challenges in the valley?
D. There is purpose in our story.
1. Ezekiel 3:15 - Then I came to the captives at Tel Abib, who dwelt by the River Chebar; and I sat where they sat, and remained there astonished among them seven days.
2. We need to sit where people are in order to understand their mindset.
3. How can we better understand people by sitting with them, and why is it important to sit with them?
E. You can be someone’s Ezekiel in their dry bones season. As you share strength with people, you will be strengthened.
1. Proverbs 11:25 - The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed;
those who help others are helped.
2. Share a time when you were strengthened because you chose to strengthen someone else.
F. Your testimony turns into a prophesy when you share what God has already done in your life with someone going through challenges, helping to encourage them. What God did before is a blueprint for what He is about to do again.
1. Share a time when you were going through challenges, and someone else’s testimony helped to encourage you.
II. Part 4
A. Ezekiel 37:7-10 - So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.
Also He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” ’ ” So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
B. You can withstand any what, if you have a good enough why.
1. People crumble in the valley because they don’t have a strong enough why.
2. Know your why before the what shows up.
3. Our why is to glorify God.
4. Philippians 1:12-14 - But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
5. What are things that we can do to strengthen and focus on our why, before we face inevitable challenges?
C. They can put me in chains, but they can't have my why.
1. I know that it looks like I am in chains, but these chains are actually serving to advance God’s purpose because I now have a captive audience.
2. Philippians 1:18-19 - What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.
For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
3. Share a time when you, going through a challenging time, and remained focused on God, and how that helped those around you.
D. You must have the Holy Spirit if you are going to be able to rally in a valley.
1. John 14:16-17 - And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
2. How has having the Holy Spirit been helpful for you when you needed to rally in a valley?
E. The Holy Spirit is for use. He wants to be your Helper. He wants to be your Comforter in the valley.
1. Psalms 23:4 - Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
2. What things are important to do, to focus on the Holy Spirit, and not just leave him on a shelf?
F. To rally in a valley, invite the wind to begin blowing again. Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit.
1. Does anyone need a special touch from the Holy Spirit right now? Can we pray for you to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that you can rally in your valley?
G. Reflection time.
1. What special thing has God put on your heart regarding this amazing series on “How to Rally in a Valley?”